Judicial Appointments

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 1 July (WA 76), which body or individual will be responsible for the appointment of members of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is one of the issues on which the consultation paper on the Supreme Court (published on 14 July) seeks views. The paper consults on the question of whether the Prime Minister should recommend names to Her Majesty The Queen directly, after consulting the First Minister in Scotland and the First and Deputy First Ministers in Northern Ireland and the legal profession, or whether an Appointments Commission should be asked to recommend the names to the Prime Minister first. It proposes as one model for such a commission that its members could be drawn from the Judicial Appointments commissions or boards, which have been or will be established in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to reflect the UK jurisdiction of the new Supreme Court.

Northern Ireland: Underspending

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 13 January (WA 1) and the Lord President on 24 June (WA 7) concerning underspending of funding, whether the date for the return of funds is 31 March.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The extent of any underspend is measured in the context of the financial year end of the entity concerned, and that is the relevant date as regards the surrender of funds. This is 31 December for North/South Implementation Bodies, and 31 March for Northern Ireland departments.

Northern Ireland: Manhole Covers

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What solutions the Water Service for Northern Ireland have considered for the problem of unstable and faulty manhole covers on the Province's road system; and when any such solutions will be implemented.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The chief executive of Water Service has written to the noble Lord in response to this Question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has taken on non-state violence.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what issues outside Northern Ireland they have received advice from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission put out a press release on the conflict in Iraq on 21 March 2003.

Acts of Parliament since 1997: Prohibited Activities

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 July (WA 148), by what process the decision not to provide the information requested was taken; whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the discussions and estimates which led to that decision; and by what amount they estimated that the cost of providing the information would have exceeded the usual maximum cost allowed.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The decision not to provide the information requested was taken by me, following discussion between officials in the Cabinet Office. It was clear that the costs threshold of £600 would be greatly exceeded, given the considerable time that would be required to sift all Acts for activities banned. It would be contrary to convention if I were to place in the Library the advice I received on this matter.

Acts of Parliament since 1997: Prohibited Activities

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they would indicate the activities that have been banned by Acts of Parliament passed since 1997.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: A range of activities has been banned by Acts of Parliament passed since 1997. This information is in the public domain. To collate it would require an official to read through all the Acts of Parliament since 1997 to search for activities banned. The cost of this would well exceed the threshold of £600.

Interception of Communications Commissioner, Intelligence Services Commissioner and Chief Surveillance Commissioner: Annual Reports

Lord Strabolgi: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will lay before Parliament the annual reports for 2002 of the Interception of Communications Commissioner, the Intelligence Services Commissioner, and the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Prime Minister has today laid before both Houses the annual reports for 2002 of the Interception of Communications Commissioner, the right honourable Sir Swinton Thomas, the Intelligence Services Commissioner, the right honourable Lord Justice Simon Brown and the Chief Surveillance Commissioner, the right honourable Sir Andrew Leggatt. Some sensitive information has been excluded from the reports of the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner in accordance with Section 58(7) and 60(5) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
	The Prime Minister is grateful to the commissioners for their reports and the work that has gone into preparing them.

East Belfast: Drinking Water

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are satisfied with the quality of water currently available for drinking in East Belfast; and, if not, what steps they are taking to improve the quality.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The chief executive of the Water Service has written to the noble Lord. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Devolving Powers to Local Authorities

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are considering devolving extra powers and duties to Belfast City Council and other local authorities which have demonstrated their capacity to share power.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government welcome the continued power-sharing arrangements adopted by many district councils in Northern Ireland. There are no plans however to devolve extra powers specifically to those councils engaged in such arrangements.
	Over the coming months, the Department of the Environment proposes to discuss with district councils and other local government interests a number of policy issues that will assist in the determination of future legislation priorities for all district councils.
	Also, in a wider context, responsibilities and functions of local government in Northern Ireland are currently being examined as part of the comprehensive review of public administration.

Northern Ireland: Dyslexia

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans the Northern Ireland Department for Education currently has to support children who are dyslexic.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The educational provision for children with special educational needs is a statutory responsibility of the education and library boards. Most provision for children with dyslexia can be made in school, with supportive organisation and planning, and sometimes with outside assistance from an education and library board reading centre, or peripatetic or outreach literacy support.
	Following publication of the report of the Northern Ireland Education Task Group on Dyslexia in May 2002, a follow-up consultative conference was held in September 2002. Consequently, the education and library boards have prepared costed proposals for implementation of the report's recommendations, which the department is currently considering.
	In the autumn it is expected that a joint Department of Education/Department of Education and Science working group will complete work on a video to provide support and information for parents of children newly diagnosed with dyslexia and a CD-ROM intended to provide a more detailed toolkit for teachers.
	In conjunction with its inspectorate and the education and library boards, the Department of Education is evaluating the effectiveness of two alternative models of intervention on children with dyslexia.

Northern Ireland: Dyspraxia

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans the Northern Ireland Department of Education currently has to support children who are dyspraxic.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: All schools, having concern about any type of special educational need which a pupil may have, operate the five-stage approach as outlined in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. At stage 3 the school may seek external support from the appropriate education and library board's educational psychology service which, if dyspraxic tendencies are suspected, will make a referral to the community paediatrician and may also involve an occupational therapist. The various professionals involved with a pupil then give the school advice and guidelines on how best to support the pupil. Programmes are designed on an individual basis and the child's specific needs are taken into account when educational plans are drawn up.
	In conjunction with its inspectorate and the education and library boards, the Department of Education is evaluating the effectiveness of two alternative models of intervention on children with dyslexia, which is often found alongside dyspraxia.

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 30 June (WA 53) concerning the North/South Ministerial Council, why the political parties in Northern Ireland were not consulted; and whether that is consistent with the Belfast Agreement.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 30 June (WA 53).

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Privy Seal on 14 January (WA 28) and the Lord President on 30 June (WA 53) concerning the North/South Ministerial Council, whether they can demonstrate that all decisions of the council since 15 October 2002 have been consistent with the assurance given in the answers.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 30 June (WA 53).

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 June (WA 44) which indicated that the Ulster-Scots Agency was not informed about a proposed change in its budget by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, why the Answer of 12 May (WA 1) indicated that it was so informed by that department.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: My answer of 11 June (WA 44) elaborates on, but does not contradict, my answer of 12 May (WA 1). DCAL informed the Ulster-Scots Agency of the reduction in its budget on behalf of DCRGA on 14 November 2002.

North/South Language Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 June (WA 45) concerning the budgets of Implementation Bodies, on what date and in what form were the special advisers in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister consulted about the proposed cut in the Language Body's budget.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Papers relating to the budgets for the Implementation Bodies were forwarded to the special advisers on 6 February 2003.

North/South Language Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 25 June (WA 20), whether the North/South Ministerial Council's decision of 19 May concerning staff remuneration of the language Implementation Body was taken in line with procedures issued on 5th December 2002 entitled Ministerial Decision-Making Interim Procedures.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 25 June 2003 (WA 20).

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 June (WA 43) concerning the North/South Implementation Bodies, how long they can continue to exist under the Belfast Agreement without the existence of a Northern Ireland Assembly.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 11 June (WA 43)

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the funding of North/South Implementation Bodies, what is meant by "a standard arrangement which has already been agreed in respect of other North/South bodies"; who this was agreed by; and why the agreement covers the North/South Language Body.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The "standard arrangement" referred to in the answer given on 7 July (WA 3) relates to the application of future salary increases for staff employed in North/South bodies. The principle is that future salary adjustments following general pay increase rounds for staff of North/South bodies shall be agreed between sponsoring departments with the approval of finance departments without further reference to NSMC. This is to the benefit of the North/South bodies as it does not require a case to be made every year to NSMC for routine increases in salary ranges. Decisions in keeping with this principle have already been agreed for the SEUPB and FSPB by the North/South Ministerial Council prior to suspension. A further decision in keeping with this principle was made under the interim procedures for the Irish Language Agency of the North/South Language Body.
	The decision of 11 June is in keeping with this principle.

North/South Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in the creation of pension provision for staff of the implementation bodies set up after the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and what, if any, difficulties are still outstanding.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 21 May 2003 (WA 85).
	Progress continues to be made on all aspects of the pension scheme for staff of the North/South Implementation Bodies and consultation with the relevant stakeholders is proceeding.
	Further proposed amendments to the scheme rules resulting from the most recent round of consultations are currently with the Bodies for consideration.

Belfast Agreement: Human Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether in their discussions with the Irish Government the issue of human rights protection as required in the Belfast agreement of 1998 has been discussed; and if so, what is the response.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Human Rights is a subject regularly discussed with the Irish Government at ministerial and other levels. The joint declaration by the British and Irish Governments, which was published in May, reaffirms our joint commitment to human rights affirmed in the Belfast agreement.

"Rhyming Around Belfast" DVD

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what basis money was allocated by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to the production of a DVD entitled "Rhyming Around Belfast"; how the professional participants in the DVD were selected; on what basis; and by whom.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure did not allocate any funding to the production of the DVD.
	There was no selection procedure for the professional participants in the DVD. The Poet Laureate happened to be visiting one of the participating schools during the making of the DVD and agreed to take part. A local poet, who had been involved with the project from the outset, was asked to do the voiceover for the video.

Northern Ireland: Tourism

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 5) concerning the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, what the board has done to exploit opportunities which are unique to Northern Ireland and to develop a visitor experience that is based on the region's culture and natural attributes as regards Ulster Scots.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: With reference to the opportunities presented by Ulster Scots traditions, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has been working with the promoters of "On Eagles Wing" with a view to assisting with the international marketing costs of this project. The project is currently being assessed under Measure 4.26 of the Peace II programme.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the European Union Special Programmes Body, on what dates the budgets for 2001 and 2002 were approved by the North/South Ministerial Council; and whether the budget for 2003 was approved using the procedure of 5 December 2002.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the information provided in the Written Answer of 7 July 2003 (WA 3). The interim procedures were drawn up by officials to facilitate decision-making by Ministers under the Exchange of Notes. Implementation of the procedures is an administrative matter for officials in the relevant departments. The procedures were therefore implemented as necessary to facilitate the approval of the budget for 2003.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offices the Special European Union Programmes Body has; where they are located; how much each office cost to set up; and how much it costs to run each office.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Special EU Programmes Body has three offices located in Belfast, Omagh and Monaghan. The Special EU Programmes Body offices were set up over a period of three years, 2000 to 2002. Set-up costs by office, excluding running costs, over this period were as follows:
	
		
			 Office Set-up Costs 
			 Belfast £506,368 
			 Omagh £448,897 
			 Monaghan £26,061 
			 Total £981,326 
		
	
	In addition to these set-up costs, a further £232,280 in professional fees, relating to recruitment costs, were incurred but cannot be attributed to individual offices as some staff recruitment competitions have involved recruitment to posts in more than one office.
	The running costs for each office for 2002 (the first full year of operation for all three offices) were as follows:
	
		
			 Office Running Costs(1) 
			 Belfast £113,866 
			 Omagh £67,583 
			 Monaghan £26,532 
			 Total £207,981 
		
	
	(1) Running costs are the Premises expenses which includes costs such as rent, rates, electricity, insurance, repairs and maintenance.

Special European Union Programmes Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, why the budget was increased for 2001; whether a business case was submitted who approved it; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House; and.
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, whether a business case was submitted for the additional funding approved on 30 October 2001; if so, who approved it; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: During 2001, the SEUPB budget was increased to cover additional funds that could not have been anticipated at the time of the setting of the original budget. The additional costs included accommodation requirements for the three SEUPB offices, provision of secretariat to the newly established Regional Partnership Board and staff recruitment.
	NSMC, meeting in special EU sector format, approved the budget increase on the basis of the needs identified and proposals made to it when it met on 30 October 2001.

Belfast Education and Library Board

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 July (WA 24) concerning the Belfast Education and Library Board, in view of the large Ulster Scots community in Belfast and the requirement in the Belfast Agreement for parity of esteem, why the board has no plans to form connections with Scotland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Belfast Education and Library Board. However, I understand from the chief executive that the board is keen to deepen the links with education providers in other jurisdictions and, while currently there are no specific plans to form connections with Scotland, the board's current business plan includes a target to develop East/West links with the mainland, including Scotland.

Ulster Scots Language and Culture: Support

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 July (WA 25) concerning the Northern Ireland Department of Education, what steps they have taken to encourage schools to introduce aspects of the Ulster Scots language, literature and culture as part of the cultural heritage and education for mutual understanding.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Provided the requirements of the statutory Northern Ireland curriculum are met, it is a matter for each individual school to decide which additional subjects should be made available for pupils. The statutory curriculum is designed to take up less than 100 per cent of a school's timetable, allowing schools a degree of flexibility to offer other subjects or to concentrate on particular areas, which they have identified as being important to them or for which there is demand.

Northern Ireland: Unemployment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 June (WA 53), concerning unemployment in Northern Ireland, why there are no research findings available to explain the differences observed in unemployment rates between denominations within the Protestant community; and what steps they have taken to identify the factors responsible for such differences.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Official government statistics show observed differences in unemployment rates between denominations within the Protestant community. Research in this area is affected by both measurement difficulties and the complexity of labour market dynamics. Measurement instruments such as sample surveys disaggregated by Protestant denonimation usually cannot be sufficiently precise to separately identify real differences and differences due to sampling or other survey features. This is particularly so when we are seeking to comment on marginal changes in unemployment based on Labour Force Survey data.
	Therefore under these circumstances any speculation regarding the factors responsible and their relative impact will remain inconclusive. The results from the 2001 Census will enable a comparison of the unemployment rates between the Protestant denominations; however this will require the sample of anonymised records, due to be released later in 2003. Further, while such an analysis will enable comparisons of observed unemployment rates, it may not explain any such differences.

Northern Ireland: Unemployment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Across the four largest Christian denominations in Northern Ireland, in how many (a) parliamentary constituencies and (b) local government district areas was the highest male unemployment rate found among those giving their religion in the 2001 Census as (i) Catholic/Roman Catholic (ii) Presbyterian, (iii) Church of Ireland and (iv) Methodist.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: (a) Among males aged 16 to 74 within the four largest Christian denominations in Northern Ireland, those who gave their religion in the 2001 Census as Catholic 1 had the highest unemployment rate in 10 out of the 18 parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland. Those who gave their religion as Church of Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the remaining 8 parliamentary constituencies. In none of the parliamentary constituencies was the unemployment rate found to be highest among those who gave their religion as Presbyterian Church in Ireland or Methodist Church in Ireland.
	(b) Among males aged 16 to 74 within the four largest Christian denominations in Northern Ireland, those who gave their religion in the 2001 Census as Catholic 1 had the highest unemployment rate in 17 out of the 26 local government districts in Northern Ireland. Those who gave their religion as Church of Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the remaining 9 local government districts. In none of the local government districts was the unemployment rate found to be highest among those who gave their religion as Presbyterian Church in Ireland or Methodist Church in Ireland.
	1 The term Catholic includes those respondents who gave their religion as Catholic or Roman Catholic.

Northern Ireland: Unemployment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Across the three largest Protestant denominations in Northern Ireland, in how many (a) parliamentary constituencies and (b) local government district areas was the highest male unemployment rate found among those giving their religion in the 2001 Census as (i) Presbyterian, (ii) Church of Ireland and (iii) Methodist.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: (a) Among males aged 16 to 74 within the three largest Protestant denominations in Northern Ireland, those who gave their religion in the 2001 Census as Church of Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in 16 out of the 18 parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland. Those who gave their religion as Methodist Church in Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the remaining 2 parliamentary constituencies. In none of the parliamentary constituencies was the unemployment rate found to be highest among those who gave their religion as Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
	(b) Among males aged 16 to 74 within the three largest Protestant denominations in Northern Ireland, those who gave their religion in the 2001 Census as Church of Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in 22 out of the 26 local government districts in Northern Ireland. Those who gave their religion as Methodist Church in Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in the remaining 4 local government districts. In none of the local government districts was the unemployment rate found to be highest among those who gave their religion as Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Unemployment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are committed to progressively eliminating the differentials in unemployment rates between different denominations within the Protestant community in Northern Ireland; and what measurement techniques they intend to use to assess progress in this.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Socio-economic differences exist across a range of social categories and groups. The new TSN policy aims to address inequalities wherever they exist. The recently completed interim evaluation of new TSN contains recommendations for the monitoring of disadvantage including unemployment rates. Subject to public consultation on the future of the policy, these recommendations will be considered in due course.

Northern Ireland: Amnesties

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have met the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to discuss amnesties for those who have escaped custody; if so, what advice did the Government offer; and whether their advice was accepted.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Des Browne MP, met the commission on 13 November 2002. Among the issues which the commission raised with the Minister was the subject of terrorists on the run. The Government did not offer the commission advice on this subject.

Northern Ireland: Housing Stock

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to improve the housing stock in Donemana, County Tyrone.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Housing Executive currently has 140 dwellings in 12 locations in Donemana. All stock built prior to 1970 has already been modernised. Stock built after 1970 is kept up to current standards through planned maintenance schemes. The entire stock has either had an external cyclic maintenance contract completed or is included in a scheme planned up to and including 2006–07. External cyclic maintenance involves carrying out work to the external fabric of the dwelling and its immediate surroundings on a five-year cycle.
	In addition, the Housing Executive is also making significant progress with its rural cottage replacement initiative. This work is being carried out by the housing association sector. Work is scheduled to start within the next two months on the replacement of three cottages at 146 and 148 Lisnarragh Road and 14 Cavancreagh Road. Replacement of a further four cottages in the Donemana area is included in the housing association schedule of work for 2005–06.
	The Housing Executive's home improvement grants scheme is one of the main tools for tackling unfit housing, with a variety of grants available for the improvement and repair of homes within the private sector. However, information regarding these grants is only available by district council area and cannot therefore be provided specifically for the Donemana area.
	Private sector housing development has not been a major feature of the housing market in the area over the past few years and has been mainly confined to individual dwellings. However, in the past year, three small schemes, with a total of 20 dwellings, have been built within the village of Donemana itself.

Toomebridge Bypass

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Toomebridge bypass will be open; and what is the estimated cost.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have asked the chief executive of Roads Service to write to the noble Lord in response to this Question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Police Overtime

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was paid in police service overtime in Northern Ireland in each year since 1994.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The figures requested are shown in the table below.
	
		£000 
		
			 Year Police overtime Civilian overtime Total overtime 
			 2002–03 71,727 5,194 76,921 
			 2001–02 54,714 4,525 59,239 
			 2000–01 46,501 4,576 51,077 
			 1999–2000 47,837 4,579 52,416 
			 1998–99 61,439 4,678 66,117 
			 1997–98 64,925 4,588 69,513 
			 1996–97 68,630 4,530 73,160 
			 1995–96 51,090 4,330 55,420 
			 1994–95 67,470 4,160 71,630

UN Convention Against Torture: Optional Protocol

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom will ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (OPCAT).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I am pleased to be able to announce that the UK has taken a significant step towards ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). On 8 September, my honourable friend, Mr Rammell laid before Parliament an Explanatory Memorandum, which explains how the UK meets the provisions of the protocol.
	We hope that the ratification process can be completed with the United Nations by the end of this year. This will make the UK one of the very first UN member states to have ratified the Optional Protocol. We signed the protocol on 26 June, becoming one of only 6 countries worldwide to have done so.
	The UK is committed to the fight against torture. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's anti-torture initiative, launched in 1998, continues to provide a focus for us on this issue. The follow-up to our ratification of the OPCAT will be an important part of the current phase of the initiative. We will undertake a lobbying campaign urging other countries to sign, ratify and implement both the Convention Against Torture and the Optional Protocol.

European Union: Forthcoming Council Business

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union from September 2003 to March 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union from September 2003 to March 2004 is as follows:
	
		European Calendar: September 2003–March 2004
		
			 Date Location Event 
			 September 2003 
			 3–5 Viterbo Telecommunications (Ministerial) 
			 4–5 Benevento Informal Youth Affairs (Ministerial Informal) 
			 5–6 Riva del Garda Gymnich (Informal Foreign) 
			 5–6 Milan Informal Health Ministerial 
			 12–13 Stresa ECOFIN (Informal Council) 
			 12–13 Rome Justice & Internal Affairs (Informal Council) 
			 14–15 Syracuse Informal Audio-Visual Telecoms and Culture Ministerial 
			 20–23 Taormina Informal Agriculture Council 
			 22–23 Brussels Competition (Internal Market, Industry & Research) 
			 25–26 Lucca Informal Children's Affairs 
			 26–27 Erice Community Regional Cohesion Policy (Ministerial Informal) 
			 29–30 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 29–30 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 23–25 Cernobbio Informal Terrestrial Digital 
			 25 Catania Informal Internal Market/Industry Ministerial 
			 27 Brussels Environment Council 
			 October 
			 2–3 Brussels Justice & Internal Affairs 
			 3–4 Rome Defence (Ministerial Informal) 
			 7 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 9–10 Brussels Transport, Telecom & Energy Council 
			 13–14 Brussels General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 13–14 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 16–17 Brussels European Council 
			 20–21 Brussels Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council 
			 24–25 Brussels Education, Youth & Culture Council 
			 27–28 Brussels Justice & Internal Affairs (Informal Council) 
			 27 Brussels Environment Council 
			 November 
			 4 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 6 Brussels Justice & Internal Affairs (Informal Council) 
			 6–7 Catania European Conference on Employment 
			 17–18 Brussels General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 17–18 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 18 Milan European Conference on Immigration & Labour Market 
			 24–25 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 24–25 Brussels Education, Youth & Culture Council 
			 27–28 Brussels Justice & Internal Affairs (Informal Council) 
			 December 
			 1–2 Rome Euromed Meeting 
			 1–2 Brussels Employment, Social Policy Health and Consumer Affairs Council 
			 1–3 Rome Informal Public Administration Ministerial 
			 4–5 Brussels Transport, Telecom & Energy Council 
			 5–7 Rome Closing Conference for the European Year of the Disabled 
			 8–9 Brussels General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 12–13 Brussels European Council 
			 15–17 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 16 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 22 Brussels Environment Council 
			 January 2004 
			 8 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 16–17 Brussels Employment & Social Policy (Ministerial Informal) 
			 16–17 Ireland (venue tbc) Informal Employment and Social Policy 
			 19 Brussels Eurogroup 
			 20 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 22–23 Ireland (venue tbc) Justice & Home Affairs (Ministerial Informal) 
			 26–27 Brussels General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 February 
			 10 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 19 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs (Ministerial Informal) 
			 23–24 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations (GAERC) 
			 23–24 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs (Ministerial Informal) 
			 26 Brussels Education, Youth & Culture Council 
			 March 
			 4–5 Brussels Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumer Affairs (Ministerial) 
			 8–9 Brussels Transport, Telecom & Energy Council 
			 9 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 11 Brussels Competitiveness Council 
			 22–23 Brussels General Affairs & External Relations (GAERC) 
			 22–23 Brussels Agriculture & Fisheries Council 
			 25–26 Brussels European Council 
			 31 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs (Ministerial Informal)

Wilton Park: Annual Report

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the Wilton Park annual report and accounts for 2002–03.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Wilton Park is an academically independent executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Its annual report and accounts for 2002–03 were laid before the House on 17 July 2003.
	Wilton Park's performance against agreed targets for the financial year 2002–03, which work from framework targets for cost recovery, quality of conference programmes and standards of service, and the targets for the current year are shown below.
	
		
			  2002–03 Target 2002–03 Performance 2003–04 Target 
			 Total income £3,314,000 £3,591,000 £3,372,000 
			 Excellent rating for programmes 56.7 57 57 
			 Excellent rating for administration 89 87.4 89

Public Collections: Licensing

Lord Davies of Coity: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have for a new licensing scheme for public collections.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I am today placing in the Library of this House copies of a consulation document on proposals for a new licensing scheme for public collections for charitable, philanthropic and benevolent purposes.
	This consultation builds on the package of measures set out in our response to the Strategy Unit review of charity law and regulation, published on 16 July, and proposes the setting up of a new, updated and unified local authority licensing scheme for public collections to replace the present complex, outdated and fragmented legislation. The aim is to modernise the law, creating a fair and cost-effecive system of licensing which facilitates responsible fund raising but deters bogus collections and prevents nuisance to the public. We want to enable a wide range of organisations to be more effective and innovative, while maintaining the high levels of public trust and confidence which are vital to the continued success of the sector.

British Sign Language

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provisions are being made to ensure that students, professionals and public agencies have access to British Sign Language training at the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People to NVQ and degree level in London.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: A wide range of courses and qualifications in the use of British Sign Language (BSL) is available throughout the United Kindom, including London.
	The Government made a position statement on 18 March recognising British Sign Language (BSL) as a language in its own right regularly used by a significant number of people. At the same time, the Government announced that they would make available £1 million to fund a discrete programme of initiatives to support the statement. Among its priorities is increasing opportunities for people to learn BSL to a professional level. A working group comprising key government departments and organisations of and for deaf people, including the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, has been established to advise on priorities for allocating the additional funding. We will respond to the working group's recommendations in due course.

Agriculture: Self-sufficiency

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it was appropriate for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stand at the Royal Show to display a placard stating "But in the 21st century self-sufficiency is no longer necessary or even desirable. What's more, the old system is not working properly. Our farmers' incomes are at the lowest level since the 1930s and farm productivity is 20 per cent lower than the world leaders".

Lord Whitty: The text is derived from the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food—Facing the Future document published last year, which set out the current position on sef-sufficiency and concluded on page 10 that "in an increasingly globalised world, the pursuit of self-sufficiency is no longer regarded as either necessary or desirable". This conclusion reflects the changed risks to food supply since the drive for self-sufficiency was launched after the Second World War, and against the current risks and the current level of self-sufficiency, the negative effects of further increasing production need to be taken into account.
	The strategy also stated on page 11 that "incomes for farmers have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1930s; productivity is low—20 per cent behind world leaders in food production—and extremely variable . . . ". The reference to world leaders in food production and the figure of 20 per cent is a reference to competitiveness in the UK's food processing sector. More detail can be found in the economic and statistical analysis published in the strategy, a document which has been in the public domain for many months and is evidence based.
	The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food document is available to view at: http:/www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain/default.htm.